January 2009 Archives

The Tate are looking for short stories which imagine what the world will be like in 2058, but as I've only just found about it you only have until Sunday to send yours in.

A while ago I won a short story competition and won £100, straight away I knew what I wanted to spend the money on - being a zoo keeper for a day. Well I've finally got round to booking it!

I love reading, but have been a bit out of the habit lately - at least as far as books go. Luckily I did pick up a copy of an intriguing novel called The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch a couple of weekends ago.

I've just received an email to say due to late interest in the Frances Lincoln Diverse Voices Children's Book Award competition the organisers have decided to extend the deadline.

BBC Wildlife magazine are running a competition for an article about a travel experience - near or far - which involved an encounter with a wild animal.

Here's another challenge for you to try the 2009 Cats Protection Writing Competition with a prize of publication in The Cat magazine. Entry is free although donations are welcomed, with £5 being suggested to cover administration.

Well I haven't done much writing at all this weekend, in fact I don't know where it went. I have however booked a flight to Stockholm to see the Vasa ship. I can't wait, though I will have to wait a few weeks.

One of the last short stories I sent out has come back as a no. I'd sent Marvin the Magnificent (a story I really liked about a young magician) to the Weekly News in the summer via email.
Well a couple of days ago I got a reply - sadly not the one I'd hoped for.

I think I'm going to have to move to Scotland. The place seems to be chockablock with writing festivals, competitions and awards. Besides it's such a beautiful country and I've enjoyed several holidays there.
To prove my point here are two more Scottish writing competitions - but beware the deadlines are approaching fast for both.

Here's a short round up of author visits that blog readers may be interested in. Some are local to Sefton/West Lancs and some further afield as my readers come from far and wide.